April 13, 2005

CHS earns Grammy award

Central High one of 42 high schools nationwide to receive grant money

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer

       Traverse City Central High School is one of 42 high schools nationwide recognized by the GRAMMY Foundation as a 2005 GRAMMY Signature School.
      These schools are honored by the foundation for their commitment to music education during the 2004-2005 school year. At Central High School, this means the breadth and depth of the band, choral and orchestra programs, including the symphonic and concert bands and orchestras and the marching band. The choral program features the annual fall musical as well as the chorale, smaller ensembles and each spring's Rendezvous at the Jazz Club program.
      The school will receive a $2,000 grant from the foundation for this honor, money that could be used to boost music education for the students.
      "It's neat to be recognized for what we do here," said Jeff Cobb, choral director at the school. "It's nice to be able to have the recognition of the really terrific accomplishments of the students, what they are able to do."
      "We've got a meeting scheduled to sit down and talk about what we're going to do with the money," he added.
      Other schools in Michigan that received recognition are Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, which received a 2005 GRAMMY Signature Gold $7,000 grant, and Huron High School in Ann Arbor, which also received a $2,000 award. All awards are underwritten by 7 Up.
      The GRAMMY Foundation was launched in 1989 to promote appreciation, understanding and awareness of how recorded music has impacted American culture. The Signature School program is one of a number of programs and activities the foundation uses to achieve their goal.
      The foundation sent applications for this 2005 Signature program to 20,000 high schools around the nation. Those completing an online application were evaluated and schools making the cut then provided extensive written documentation on their music programs.
      After making it to the next round, Cobb spearheaded this documentation effort last fall.
      "They needed a lot of descriptors and I sent them old programs and talked about our course offerings and past awards and the make-up of our student body, the types of music we do," he recalled. "Really, the whole make up of our program and a lot of detailed explanations about that and our philosophy of teaching and education."
      David Sears of the GRAMMY Foundation noted that the final round included 89 applicants from around the country, whose applications were judged by music educators and professionals. The overall mission of the Signature School program is two fold.
      "We want to recognize excellence in music education," said Sears, who is senior director, education programs, at the foundation in Santa Monica, Calif.
      "Our Enterprise award is for addressing those schools, predominantly in under-served communities but everyone is eligible," he continued. "Maybe they don't have fine music programs but maybe they have a wonderful idea about how they can make their program better or use a one-time infusion of funds to expand their program to a larger population of students at their school."
      Sears also praised 7 Up for underwriting the program, even though there is not a direct tie to selling more cans of soda.
      "They give us funds over and above what they are required to do," he said. "They want to support music education because that's what they want to do."